NSLC To Sell Cannabis In March Says Province

The Nova Scotia government has announced its initial decisions regarding the legalization of cannabis.

Marijuana is on track to be legalized in Canada by July 2018 however the details of who can sell it and who can buy it have been largely left up to the country’s provinces.

In a news release today, the province says the decisions followed consultations with Nova Scotians, health experts, law enforcement officials, municipalities, and other stakeholder groups.

Here are Nova Scotia's key policy decisions on cannabis:

-- a legal age of 19 for use, purchase and possession
-- distribution and sales will be online and in existing Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) stores. The number of locations is not yet determined.

Federal legislation outlining the following restrictions is accepted by the province:
-- a personal possession limit of up to 30 grams
-- a personal cultivation limit of up to four plants per household
-- the establishment of provincial penalties for youth possession of up to five grams

Mark Furey, Minister of Justice and Attorney General said in the release that "the NSLC has the experience and expertise to distribute and sell restricted products like alcohol and now cannabis in a socially responsible way," said Mr. Furey. "We believe the NSLC is best positioned to sell cannabis, keeping it out of the hands of young people and making it legally available in a safe, regulated way."

Details of online sales and location of retail stores will be announced later.